A VW driver almost flattened a pedestrian and narrowly missed a Mini as he sped away from police, a court heard.

Prosecutor Lee Harris told Swindon Crown Court on Friday that an eagle-eyed police officer had spotted what he thought was a drug deal in Trowbridge on May 4 last year.

A little while later he saw Gadd behind the wheel of a VW Golf. Concerned about the manner in which the car was being driven, the police officer spun his patrol car around and began following the Volkswagen.

Mr Harris said the officer hit speeds of 70mph down 30mph limit Frome Road in an effort to keep up with Gadd – but was struggling to make ground.

The VW overtook another motorist as they were passing parked cars. He went round right-hand bends in excess of 50mph, narrowly missing a Mini. Gadd went the wrong way around a roundabout and almost hit a pedestrian.

“He was described by the officer as driving dangerously at speed with no regard for members of the public,” the prosecutor said.

Gadd continued onto Dursley Road. The officer lost sight of the VW, but later discovered the driver was picked up by another police unit.

The court heard Gadd had 154 offences on his record, the majority of which were for acquisitive offences like theft. He had two previous convictions for driving whilst disqualified and was currently in jail after the magistrates activated a suspended prison sentence in February.

Peter Binder, defending, said the dangerous driving dated back almost a year. Since then, his client had managed to get himself free from drugs with the help of counselling and a methadone prescription.

The barrister told the court: “It is for that reason that the proposed sentence in the pre-sentence report is to the effect that Mr Gadd’s risk can be safely managed in the community.

“There are prospects of rehabilitation here for this defendant, because having come off drugs he is deemed to be suitable for the community order.”

Gadd, of Adcroft Street, Trowbridge, but appearing in court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving with no insurance.

Recorder Richard Smith QC imposed an 18 month community order with 10 rehabilitation days, a drug rehabilitation requirement and 40 hours of unpaid work, telling Gadd his life was at a crossroads and it was in both his and society’s interest for him to remain drug free.

The judge said: “You’ve been given an opportunity not least by the able assistance of the probation service. The only person who can now fail is you. You’ve failed yourself in the past, I hope you don’t give up this prime opportunity and I wish you good luck with it.”

Gadd was banned from driving for a year and must pass an extended retest if he wishes to obtain a licence.